Don't cry because it's over, laugh because it happened EA is splitting itself in a major internal reorganization that will see EA Games and EA Sports separated into two distinct units within the company. and will be called EA Entertainment from now on, suggesting that the company plans to expand into areas other than video games. Who would be interested in a syndicated film?

EA CEO Andrew Wilson announced the news in a post on the company's website (originally shared with EA employees). In it, Wilson said that Laura Miele, a lifelong EA employee of nearly 30 years, "has been appointed President of EA Entertainment, Technology & Central Development."

Miele will oversee "major studios" under the new brand umbrella, including Respawn's Vince Zampella, who heads "the world-class studio responsible for Apex Legends, Star Wars and Battlefield," as well as BioWare, Maxis and other "leading

He will work alongside familiar faces such as Samantha Ryan, who continues to oversee "lifestyle franchises and blockbuster single player experiences.

The other, sportier side, the EA Sports portion, which is not of particular interest to apathetic, unsocial geeks like myself, but continues to bring in huge profits to the company regardless, will continue to be headed by Cam Weber, who has been with the division since 2011. The personnel changes are intended to give the heads of both divisions a bit more "creative ownership and financial accountability, and to make faster, more insightful decisions regarding development."

Wilson also talks a great deal about the familiar themes of driving growth, accelerating the business, and delivering value, all the usual generic terms that people in his position deploy to assure shareholders that they are not out of their gourds, but that EA's new split between its sports and "entertainment" divisions is the real meat.

The new organizational structure will be put in place "over the next few months" with various leaders cracking the whip, and EA now seems intent on organizational change as well: to allow BioWare to focus on "Mass Effect" and "Dragon Age," "Star Wars: The Old Republic" to Broadsword Online Games so that BioWare can focus on "Mass Effect" and "Dragon Age.

That may be exactly what EA needs: it is a huge company, and while it is hardly in dire straits, the last few years have seemed a bit sluggish. Battlefield 2042 was not well received by fans (even if it is good now), Wild Hearts was underwhelming, and Jedi Survivor was only as good as the bugs it could wade through.

Aside from the continued success of the annual sports franchises (this year, the studio took the risk of rebranding "FIFA"), only the "Dead Space" remake stands out as an unqualified success in the studio's recent library. Perhaps a major internal overhaul will give EA the vitality it needs to produce hits.